Try before you buy?

[TBombadil]

g17.3. is a good choice too if you like modding optionality.

The g17 frame fits g34 and g17L slides, not to mention glock also sells oem g17 MOS slide assemblies now too.

and your g17 mags will fit into all equal/smaller double stack glocks (g26, g19, g45, g34, ar9 / ruger PCCs, staccato hd) if you continue to invest in their ecosystem.

The real power of glock is the ubiquity and universal application of their DS mags.

The support for glocks is insane. Every case I find has "Glock" as an option. It seems like having a Glock makes finding ANYTHING for your pistol easier.

The only real mod i'm thinking about now is optics in the distant future. Both the Glock and M&P sell optics ready slides though.

 

[Ron Swanson]

g17.3. is a good choice too if you like optionality.

The g17 frame fits g34 and g17L slides, and glock sells oem g17.3 MOS slide assemblies now too.

And your g17 mags will fit all equal/smaller glocks and their 9mm DS ecosystem (g26, g19, g45, g34, ar9, ruger PCC, platypus 2011, staccato hd, etc)

The real power of glock is the ubiquity and universal application of their Double Stack mags.

This is one of the big reasons why my guns are a couple of Glocks.

 

[sjb323]

Definitely recommended to learn how to shoot with iron sights, but get something that already has an optic cut so it's an easier and less costly transition. Eventually, you'll want to start shooting a dot. Not many people are shooting irons any more, and for good reason.

And yes, absolutely find a good instructor to help you on your way. If that instructor tells you that pistol optics are trash, or says things like "slow down and get your hits" or "slow is smooth and smooth is fast", find another instructor.

 

[riceman]

I agree with all the above, if you can try before you buy. If your friends let you try their handgun at least offer to buy the ammo you will use. Ammo isn't cheap. Also, you will need to get Firearms Safety Certificate before buying, it requires passing a FSC test.

I am partial to Glocks because no external safety, no magazine disconnect, I can live with load indicator if I have to. I carried a G26 then the G43 when I bit the bullet and bought one. My nite stand gun is G19 with standard G17 mag. After shooting a friends P365 I now carry it most of the time and then 2 months later bought the P365 macro. I have never bought any gun within that time frame, usually a year or so. I know it has mag disconnect but I have to live with it
They have external safety but I carry it in the off postion to mimic my glocks

 

[ChestnutBleach]

IMO, don’t overthink it. It’s not a bad idea to go to a range and try some out. But don’t try to get the “perfect” gun; it doesn’t exist. Just get one you reasonably like. Chances are very good it won’t be your last pistol.

Thread 'Analysis paralysis: First time gun buyer'

Jan 25, 2025

For the last couple weeks I've been spending so much time browsing forums, Reddit, and social media to see what I would want to buy as a first gun that will be used for home defense, range toy, and probably will try a competition sometime in the next year or two. I don't see myself applying for CCW anytime soon because I will most likely be moving in a couple years due to school.

I kind of have a buy one cry once mentality and want the best value. I love attention to detail and have gone through expensive coffee gear, PC builds, pocket knives, etc. I've held a few guns at a local store...

• fiatlux
• Replies: 117
• Forum: California Handguns

 

[Joker67]

I would love to take an introduction to pistols class. The classes I've found so far require you to bring a pistol.

Glocks being simple and universal are a big draw for me. Also they are less expensive than the M&P.

Looking through the manual for the M&P, I didn't see any additional tooling required for regular maintenance. Am I missing something?

I shoot CZ's , one with a decocker and one with a safety ( never use it). There is a mechanism in the frame that controls a lot of the guns function called the sear cage, containing the sear and a number of other tiny parts like a watch. It has tiny, tiny springs that require the use of picks, special punches for multiple size pins and a lot of hair pulling to reinstall. It's taken me 6 hours before to do a complete disassembly , deep clean and reassembly of a CZ P-01. A Glock will take you 5 minutes.

If I could get a Glock grip module that would be legal for carry with CZ ergonomics , I would put it on a Glock 19 immediately. I love everything about Glocks except for the grip angle and fat grip. The ergonomics suck but they aren't a hindrance, you just train around it.

I carry a standard, non CA P365XL most of the time with a Wilson Combat grip. It's much easier to shoot and manipulate than a standard P365.

 

[CWINSD]

I'm in the market for my first gun, waiting on financial situation to improve before buying.

I keep seeing the advice to go shoot whatever you're thinking of buying before purchasing. That advice makes sense. Take it for a test drive before taking it home.

This will be my first gun. I've shot a few times, using friends' guns but have VERY little trigger time. My technique sucks. I know the theory from YouTube but am a complete novice.

I assume how the gun feels/shoots now will be completely different from how the gun feels/shoots after some training. Is it really that important to "test drive" it before purchasing?

I think it's important to try it before you buy it. If it's comfortable in your hands, the controls work for you, and you can shoot it well, then that's the right choice.

If you're still undecided, I always recommend either a Glock or M&P to my friends who are first time gun buyers. They are very accurate, reliable, easy to maintain and do not require a significant financial investment.

Over time you'll develop a feel for what you like and don't like and will be able to better choose what's best for you.

 

[SilverEndless]

Here’s my suggestions when the last person asked me for this input:

1) Consider what you are buying it for. You don’t need a reason; “It’s my 2nd Amendment Right” is perfectly acceptable. Most buyers have something in mind. (Home defense, competition, concealed carry, etc). Each of the “reasons” will have impact to what firearm you purchase. If you’re buying for CCW, maybe you’ll want a smaller caliber or a smaller platform. If you’re planning competing with it, maybe you’ll want red dot compatabilty, capacity considerations, availability of aftermarket products for better performance. Maybe you’ll need weapon light capatibility because this is a bedside/bump in the night platform. Typically longer sight radius 4.25” or longer means better accuracy at distance (>15 yrds). If you’re trying to defend yourself, maybe you’ll want a larger caliber. Revolver or semi-auto? DO YOUR RESEARCH. Once you have your criteria you may find your options have been significantly narrowed.

2) ABSOLUTELY TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. Firearms for the first time buyer are like shoes. There’s definitely a pair or style that fits you the best. Find a range that has the firearms available for you to rent and go spend some time with each one on your list. Plan on spending a fair amount of time on a given day; don’t rush yourself. As you’re firing them, make note of a few things:
- how does the grip feel in your hand? Too big? Too small? Do your pinkies hang off the bottom? Does it feel like a box or an oval? Do you have a preference? If you were to grip and squeeze it hard, are you uncomfortable?
- can your trigger hand thumb reach the mag release or not? If not, are you willing to alter how you hold the firearm to operate this function?
- can your trigger hand thumb reach the slide release? If not, are you willing to alter how you hold the firearm to operate this function?
- what does the trigger pull feel like? Heavy? Soft? Long? Short? Do you find you have a preference?
- what does the trigger reset feel like? Long? Short? Do you find you have a preference?
- when you finally point it down range, how does it point? Does the angle of your hand feel natural or awkward as you try to line up the sights?
- when firing it, do you find one stands out as “easier to shoot”? Are you more accurate with one over any of the others? Is one stand out as more comfortable to shoot?

3) Buy once, cry once. If the one you like, after completing your rental, is out of your price range, don’t settle for a cheaper, less desirable one (unless you’re in fear of your life). Save a little longer and buy the one that is best for you. You’ll enjoy shooting it more in the long run which plays into #5

4) Have means for safe storage — lock it up… it’s the law.

5) Buy mags, take a class/get some training, and go shoot. Shooting accurately is a perishable skill. Get training. Shoot competitively. Being able to recite the rules for firearm safety is nothing without the practical application. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen new shooters come out to our range and have that “oh ” moment when they hit the non threat behind the threat and realize what it means to “know your target AND ITS SURROUNDINGS”.

 

[CZsguns]

I'm in the market for my first gun, waiting on financial situation to improve before buying.

I keep seeing the advice to go shoot whatever you're thinking of buying before purchasing. That advice makes sense. Take it for a test drive before taking it home.

This will be my first gun. I've shot a few times, using friends' guns but have VERY little trigger time. My technique sucks. I know the theory from YouTube but am a complete novice.

I assume how the gun feels/shoots now will be completely different from how the gun feels/shoots after some training. Is it really that important to "test drive" it before purchasing?

I went through an early phase where I rented a bunch of 9mm pistols over a one year period. My technique also sucked at the time. And I watched a lot of youtube vids. But those vids are only as good as the trigger time you can get...in other words, I didn't have a lot of practice time under my belt. Under these conditions, I found the Glock 17/19 and FNP to be the best for me. My least favorite was the S&W M&P and SA XD. I know these are solid choices, but I just did not shoot them well. Fast forward 10+ years later, I have cleaned up my technique and even took a 2 day handgun course. I rented an XD about a year ago and still could not shoot it as well as I do my CZ's, Glocks, 1911's. I recently added an HK VP9. I had a chance to shoot one (which I liked) before I bought one.

 

[Paltik]

sig p365 checked all the boxes for me on paper, and felt good in the hand. I rented one and shot 100rds at the range, hated it. Same thing happened to me with a hk usp45, fn509, p226, cz p01… lol for me all roads lead back to glock.

I went through a similar process. P365 checked all the boxes for me--but I'd seen a lot of people complaining about the snap and not liking it. So I rented one, had no problem with it, and purchased one with confidence, just as @pikachu didn't purchase one, with that same confidence. Renting is better than regretting.

 

[TBombadil]

I did it everyone.

I went to the range today and tried a few off my list.

The Glock 17 is the winner. Felt the best.

Shot it and the M&P well. The M&P choked on some of the range reloads, the Glock ran flawlessly.

 

[ChestnutBleach]

Good choice.

Before modding it though, buy ammo first; lots of ammo. If you don’t know already, Glocks are the Mustangs of the gun world. (When it comes to available mods. They’re practical/reliable Toyotas otherwise ).

 

[sonofeugene]

Choking on a few rounds isn’t unusual with some guns. The first time I shot my new G34, it failed to cycle some rounds. I put more rounds through it and it’s been flawless ever since.

 

[TBombadil]

Choking on a few rounds isn’t unusual with some guns. The first time I shot my new G34, it failed to cycle some rounds. I put more rounds through it and it’s been flawless ever since.

This was a range rental. I doubt it would need more breaking in.

 

[Chattypath747]

I've bought a few firearms without trying them. In those instances, I knew I liked them but getting actual shooting experience with them was during subsequent range days.

Initially when I was starting out, I would say follow this advice. However, nowadays I think it is more a good guideline vs a rule. Not a lot of firearms are able to be tested for a trial period so really when you are buying a firearm, be willing to consider it a loss but think thoroughly on the utility you may derive from it.

 

[pikachu]

I did it everyone.

I went to the range today and tried a few off my list.

The Glock 17 is the winner. Felt the best.

Shot it and the M&P well. The M&P choked on some of the range reloads, the Glock ran flawlessly.

Congrats on making a decision!

You may want to consider buying a secondhand g17, will save you at least ~20% on taxes. Glocks are workhorses that can famously run for tens of thousands of rounds. (Replace your recoil spring assembly every ~6k rounds).

 

[steelholder]

I'm in the market for my first gun, waiting on financial situation to improve before buying.

LA gun club has the biggest rental selection I have ever seen.

 

[TBombadil]

LA gun club has the biggest rental selection I have ever seen.

I'm up in Sacramento area. LA gun club is a little far from me.

I ended up renting near me, trying a few, and buying a glock

 

[pikachu]

LA gun club has the biggest rental selection I have ever seen.

That range is a cesspool of idiot tourists with guns though. I went once, left immediately when I saw lanes packed with groups of inexperienced shooters with loose trigger and muzzle discipline.

Also their selection of rentals are totally run through. They have a nighthawk grp 1911 for rent that has a trigger that somehow felt grungy lol. Their rentals aren’t well maintained and are abused beaters.

Never going back to LA gun club again.

 

[compulsivegungrabber]

buy a used glock 19, or a new M&P 2.0 compact. they work because they work

I absolutely love my M&P 2.0 compact.